Amazon Kindle for PC: Read ebooks on your computer screen

Amazon has announced a desktop version of its Kindle ebook-reader software, allowing you to read ebooks on your computer. You don't need a Kindle to use Kindle for PC, but, if you have one, it will sync your bookmarks and keep your place across different devices using Whispersync.

We're not sure if the world is ready for reading books on your computer -- we're barely ready for ebook readers -- but it might be a useful tool for students or those who can't bear to be away from their screen for even a moment. Kindle for PC does have a few perks: it's in colour, and, on touch-sensitive computers running Windows 7, you'll be able to swipe a finger to turn the page and explore menus.

You can also browse and buy ebooks at the Kindle Store. Kindle for PC requires a computer with a 500MHz Intel or AMD processor or faster, at least 128MB of RAM and 100MB of available disk space, and a display with a resolution of 800x600 pixels or greater. You need to be running Windows XP Service Pack 2 or later, Vista or Windows 7. Apple users are out of luck at the moment, although Amazon has promised a Mac version soon. Other ebook-reading software includes Microsoft Reader and Mobipocket.